Welcome Summer! (Finally)

Been waiting and waiting for some sunshine and flowers---look what we finallllly found!

(Note about flooding--the Mississippi is definetly HIGH and spilling over its banks in several locations within about an hour of us--all the creeks, rivers and lakes are FULL, but so far the closest flooding is about 40 miles away and no serious damage done--they are sandbagging in parts of St. Louis, but thankfully Southern Illinois is being spared)

Champs!

How cute are these two! Congrats on a winning season! Can't wait 'til the next one!

Happy Birthday Kelly & Bill

Two pretty fabulous people--made this great little family! Some of my favorites! Hope you guys had a nice weekend celebrating! Happy Birthdays!

(Not so ordinary or everyday) Miracles

I have been on edge for days--sorry to those I've snapped at--I don't like close calls and I know I should just be grateful and count my blessings--I am getting there--fear is often displayed in ugly ways--but I am so appreciative of miracles in my life.

1. So glad this kiddo is walking around and safe. Emily

had a bad car accident Tuesday and "Tammy" her jeep

was totaled and had to go the the grand Santa Quin

salvage yard. But despite a few bumps & bruises and

a cut on her face--she is fine! Can't wait to put my arms

around her on Monday. Her Dad is with her

--gratefully all is well.

2. Two new babies in our family--I love my nieces and nephews! Say hello to Lucy Grayce and Spencer Daniel Hopkin born Wednesday, May 21, 2008. Happy birthday and welcome to the world little ones!

Congratulations Mary Kaye, Dan, Taylor, Audrey and Whitney!

3. Last but never least--I'm grateful for this guy. He makes me smile when everything else makes me want to cry. He is patient beyond measure and the kindest fella on the planet. Don't know why I deserve him, but I know I am a lucky girl!

Goals

Found this quote and thought it was quite profound--been thinking alot about goals and what happens next for me--I feel like a new chapter has begun in my life, but I have no idea where the book is headed, what the plot is and what the heroine (hopefully Me!) is supposed to accomplish this time around---Hmmm---
"I am thoroughly convinced that if we don’t set goals in our life and learn how to master the technique of living to reach our goals, we can reach ripe old age and look back on our life only to see that we reached but a small part of our full potential. When you learn to master the principle of setting a goal, you will then be able to make a great difference in the results you attain in this life." M. Russell Ballard

A little scrappy fun!

I thought I might share a few of the pages and projects I have been working on recently. It is still cold here--we have had TWO days over 70 so far--and I am more than ready for some warm weather and sunshine. But when life gives you lots of lemons ( or cloudy days!) you have to make your own lemonade--and scrapbooking usually makes me smile! So thanks for indulging me! (maybe you'll see a face or two you love).......Katie

April Fools Day Craziness! Mollie and Eliza made a wild dinner of fruit sushi (dessert), mice (boiled eggs with ears), hotdogs (pb &j) and MUD pie! Good memory!

Andy and Jillian's forever wedding! A very happy day!

What we were doing on December 1, 2007--making our new house feel like home--putting up the Christmas tree!

And these perpetual calendars--I've made a bunch of these for gifts and stuff. This was kind of fun. I'm going to work on taking pictures in better light and maybe share a few more in the future! Happy Tuesday--Katie (Emily will be home in 11 days--Yeah!)

When it rains it POURS!

Our thoughts are with our little Em this week--It's finals week, she is trying to pack to move and her car broke down. Thanks to the fabulous invention of cellphones, Saturday service at Midas and Grandpa John & Grandma Jane and Paul Binks being available to help the radiator was repaired and things were much better by the end of the day. We hate having her so far away--but are grateful for those who were available to help. Last week of the semester is always a stressful one--and we all know that when it rains, it POURS! Good luck Emily! Love you--